Efforts of Watchful Citizens and Officers Lead to Arrest of Car Burglar

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – A car burglar was apprehended early this morning after burglarizing unlocked cars and leading police on a short pursuit. Around 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 19, 2014, a watchful citizen noticed a suspicious man opening doors on vehicles in the 1200 block of Shelton Court. After the citizen called the emergency communications center, officers immediately responded to look for the suspect.

As an officer arrived on the Kelsey Glen neighborhood street, he witnessed the suspect rummaging through a red SUV. The officer approached, and the suspect jumped into a nearby silver car and quickly sped away. Officers gave chase, but due to high speeds, briefly lost visual with the suspect as it rocketed down Old Lebanon Dirt Road. Luckily, officers noticed that the suspect pulled-off on a side street, and they caught up with him.

Once officers approached the suspect again, he ran on foot and officers gave chase. After jumping fences, running through a creek, and into a field, the suspect was apprehended. Officers identified the suspect as Patrick Hammer, 20, of Mt. Juliet. Once apprehended, the suspect was fairly cooperative with investigators, and it is believed that Mr. Hammer is a suspect in many car burglaries in the area.

“Our citizens are partners in our fight against crime, and watchful citizens, who report suspicious activity, are invaluable,” said Police Chief James Hambrick. “The system worked well in this incident, and I’m glad the suspect was caught before more citizens became victims to his criminal acts.”

Hammer was arrested and booked into the Wilson County Jail, charged with Burglary – Motor Vehicle, Evading Arrest, and Reckless Endangerment. He is set to appear in court on January, 13, 2015 under a $17,500.00 bond.